PADRES: Alexi all over

JEFF SANDERS jsanders@nctimes.com

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After a pinch-hit appearance Friday night, do-it-all little man Alexi Amarista (.279 avg.-4 HRs-18 RBIs) remained in the game to make his first career appearance in right field. On Saturday, the 5-foot-7 Venezuelan was back in the starting lineup as the Padres' shortstop.

That versatility was part of the sales pitch coming from Anaheim when the Padres acquired Amarista from the Angels.

"Talking to (Angels manager Mike Scioscia), Mike said he's capable of playing all positions," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Mike felt he was never concerned defensively with Alexi, and that was good enough for me."

Amarista has played games at second base (28), shortstop (six), left field, (five), third base (one), center field (one) and right field (one).

"I think with Alexi, that's a great advantage for us ---- his versatility," Black said. "We're comfortable with him anywhere on the diamond."